Dylann Roof will face a jury trial in November

From the Files - Worst Mass Shootings in the U.S. Thomson Reuters CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - The white man accused of killing nine black parishioners in a racially motivated attack at a South Carolina church last June will face a trial by jury rather than a judge as he requested, a U.S. judge ordered on Monday.

The federal trial for accused Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof, 22, is scheduled to begin on Nov. 7.

In a court filing last week, Roof asked to be granted a bench trial. The filing did not say why he wanted to waive his right to a trial by jury.

Federal prosecutors, who intend to seek the death penalty over the June 17, 2015, killings, objected to the request in a court filing on Monday, records show.

Federal rules require that a criminal trial be conducted before a jury if the government does not agree to a bench trial, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said in his order.

As a result, jurors will decide Roof's guilt and punishment, Gergel said.